'Beachy Vibes,' 'Coastal Fare' On Offer At New Skokie Restaurant

SKOKIE, IL — A new nautical-themed restaurant aimed at giving diners the feeling of being perpetually on vacation opens Monday at Old Orchard shopping center in Skokie.

The fifth location of The Hampton Social, the fourth in the Chicago area, will feature more than 7,800 square feet of dining space, a rooftop patio and the brand's trademark neon sign reading, "Rosé All Day." The seafood-focused menu and East Coast theme of the "lifestyle concept" promises to bring beachside vibes to Old Orchard.

It was created by Brad Parker's Chicago-based Parker Restaurant Group, which also operates the speakeasy cocktail lounge The Bassment. In a statement, group founder and CEO Parker said he is confident 2019 will be a momentous year for the brand.

“We want people outside major metropolitan areas to enjoy the Hampton’s lifestyle experience that our concept has become known for," said Parker."So unveiling this location is a milestone in our plan to not only expand in big cities across the U.S., but their nearby suburban areas as well.”

The Hampton Social has expanded from its original location in Chicago's River North neighborhood to spaces in Streeterville, Burr Ridge, a recently opened spot in Naples, Florida and a South Barrington location due to open later this year.

The Skokie location expects open a rooftop patio in time for summer. Its brick pizza oven is the centerpiece of its dining area, and its interior includes a bar area covered by a rustic pergola. The 180-person capacity site also offers private event space.

The dining menus were been created by Corporate Executive Chef Francis Gonzalez, and the cocktail list was curated by Beverage Director Greg Innocent. The Hampton Social menus for brunch, lunch, dinner and drinks are available online.

The key element of creating a successful restaurant, according to Parker, is ensuring that women will feel comfortable.

"The first thing I think of is, ‘Will women like it? Will women feel comfortable at the restaurant on their own, with a significant other, on a first date, with a group of friends?’" the 35-year-old restaurateur Parker told Hospitality Design last year. "I’ve come to realize that women actually make the world turn."

Hours at the Old Orchard location are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to midnight on Friday, 10 a.m. to midnight on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday.